Late-life depressive disorder, occurring in those over the age of 60 years, is common, affecting over 9% of people living in the community (Beekman 1999; McDougall 2007) and 25% of those living in institutions (McDougall 2007). It is associated with reduced quality of life and high morbidity (Alexopoulos 2009a; Volicer 2012). It has a detrimental impact on recovery from physical illness (patien...

OBJECTIVE The primary aim of this study was to assess sex differences in depression in later life. METHOD In a random, age and sex-stratified community sample of 3056 older Dutch people (55 85 years) the prevalence, symptom-reporting and risk factors associated with depression in later life were studied. Depression was measured with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (CES-D...

Major depression is disproportionately common among elderly adults receiving home healthcare and is characterized by greater medical illness, functional impairment, and pain. Depression is persistent in this population and is associated with numerous poor outcomes such as increased risk of hospitalization, injury-producing falls, and higher health care costs. Despite the need for mental health ...

Although previous research suggests that overall emotional reactivity does not change with normal aging, it is possible that different emotions follow different developmental courses. We examined emotional reactivity to films selected to elicit sadness, disgust, and a neutral state in young, middle-aged and older adults (total N = 222). Physiology and expressive behavior were measured continuou...

Depression is a common problem in older patients and a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality in this population. The identification and treatment of depression is more complex in older patients because of difficulty in diagnosis, coexisting illnesses, and concurrent drug therapy. In addition, a variety of medical conditions and drugs can cause depression. Treatment often has to be ...

The diagnosis of late life hypogonadism is controversial. For the purposes of discussion, it is suggested that treatment of late life hypogonadism requires the presence of symptoms, a low level of circulating free or bioavailable testosterone level and a positive response to treatment. While this may appear to be a radical proposal, we believe it represents the most rigorous scientific approach...

Anxiety is an adaptive human experience that may occur at all ages and serves to help draw attention to, avoid or cope with immanent threat and danger. Given its evolutionary importance, it has strong genetic and biological underpinnings, and when it serves that adaptive function for the organism, anxiety may be viewed as useful. However, complex adaptive systems, such as our adaptation to thre...

over time, depending on the time interval (3 to 13 years). In this same study little or no significant decline in happiness or life satisfaction was noted over a 10 year period. Dr. Palmore also describes new roles for the aged in society and concludes that most evidence supports the activity? rather than the disengagement? theory of retirement. Many chapters of this book deal predominantly wit...

Late-life depression is both underrecognized and undertreated, and the impact of medical comorbidity may mask depressive symptoms. Depression further complicates the prognosis of medical illness by increasing physical disability and decreasing motivation and adherence to prescribed medications and/or exercise or rehabilitation programs. In addition, chronic disabling disorders can be a contribu...

BACKGROUND Evidence suggests a role for oestrogen in depression but the involvement of oestrogen receptor polymorphisms remains unknown. AIMS To determine the association between oestrogen receptor polymorphisms and late-life depression and the modifying effect of hormone treatment. METHOD Depression was assessed using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview, according to DSM-IV c...